Working Paper: NBER ID: w27033
Authors: Maria D. Fitzpatrick; Cassandra Benson; Samuel R. Bondurant
Abstract: Nearly 4 in 10 children report experiencing maltreatment by adulthood. Early detection mitigates maltreatment’s negative effects. Yet factors that drive early detection remain understudied. We examine one possible source of early detection: educators in school settings. Administrative data on reports of child maltreatment across the U.S. over a 14-year period allows us to use two different regression discontinuity methods, one based on school-entry laws and one on school calendars. Both methods show education professionals are reporting cases that would have been missed otherwise. These findings suggest that improved training and support of educators may improve society's ability to help children and families.
Keywords: Child Maltreatment; Education; Reporting; Teachers
JEL Codes: I29; I31; J12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Educators identifying new cases (I20) | Reporting of child maltreatment (J13) |
| Time spent in school (I21) | Reporting of child maltreatment (J13) |
| Increased educator contact (I24) | Reporting of child maltreatment (J13) |